Rev. Rob Foreman writes:

“Last year I was deeply honoured to receive the Herbert Barnes Award from the congregation at Newcastle Unitarians. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your generosity and to let you know how I have used the award. As someone born in Accrington and raised in the shadow of Burnley, I was struck by an unexpected connection with Herbert Barnes’s own story. Learning that his wife, Beatrice (Lizzie) Watterson taught mathematics in Burnley made me smile, as I attended Gawthorpe High School, now Shuttleworth College, just a few miles away. It is a small coincidence, but one that made receiving an award bearing his name feel all the more meaningful.

The books I chose reflect both my ministry today and the lifelong journey of learning that ministry invites:
I purchased ‘Why Buddhism Is True’ by Robert Wright, as I continue to deepen my understanding of other faith traditions and the insights they can offer into human flourishing. Alongside this, Diarmaid MacCulloch’s ‘Lower Than the Angels’ promises to broaden my understanding of the history of sexuality and the Church, an important area of study for anyone committed to an inclusive ministry.

I also chose ‘How to Hear God’ by Peter Greig and ‘Why We Believe’ by Alister McGrath. Although they come from theological perspectives different from my own, I value reading widely and engaging thoughtfully with voices across the Christian tradition. I believe that our own convictions are strengthened when we are willing to listen generously to others.

Finally, I completed my purchase with three books by Paulo Coelho: ‘The Pilgrimage’, ‘The Alchemist’ and ‘The Supreme Gift’. These have a special place in my heart because I have long held the dream of walking the Camino de Santiago. Rather than seeing it as a single journey to complete, I hope to return to it throughout my life, walking different sections over many years. I hope it will become a recurring pilgrimage that keeps me grounded, reminds me to travel lightly, and continually calls me back to my spiritual path.

Thank you once again for your kindness and encouragement. Awards such as this do far more than purchase books; they invest in the continuing formation of ministers. I am grateful for your support and look forward to sharing the fruits of these readings in my ministry in the years to come.”

You can see Rev. Foreman’s recent service for us, ‘A Faith for the Future’, here: